Yes, hitlers invasion of belgium was unjustified, that was besides the point, however I probably should have been more clear in my thinking. The British did not have to join in, if they did not would that have been a position that was just?

I thought my second example covered that.

I do agree that in general and in theory wars are almost always unjustified, and should be avoided at all costs.

However, the concepts of the global village, humanism, democratic ideals and universal rights and freedoms have not been around for long enough for there to be many examples of just wars (as relative as everything is). Even the concept of nationalism hasn't been around that long, and before that there were mostly feudal lords.

The league of nations was only created  in 1919. That's less than a century ago.

Before that I can think of defensive wars that Austria participated in where they were defending the territorial integrity of the Holy Roman Empire from Aggressors.

So, I'd say in general, I believe that defensive wars are almost always justified, wars of aggression are almost always unjustified. (In some cases the aggressor is really the defender, but that's wholy up to interpretation) 

For another recent example, what about the oppression of minorities in Greater Serbia, and the ensuing liberation wars, including the most recent one with kosovo. What was just/unjust and why? 

 On a more personal/human level, I don't believe that any conflict is just or that any warfare should happen. The problem is how to act when the world does not agree with you or when people are being abused or killed and all other methods of diplomacy fail.

Brian Topp: Our friends on the blue team seem to mostly focus on sticks, and not so much on carrots. ;)